Method of forming and pulling contact terminals into an electrical receptacle



June 29, 1965 A. H. JOHNSON METHOD OF FORMING AND PULLING CONTACTTERMINALS INTO AN ELECTRICAL RECEPTACLE Original Filed June 29, 1959 llSheets-Sheet 1 N e Q. a m .N H 2 2, w R W H m D W E II R F L s A m L mL" J W m.- FL 2? "r L CON mi A I l l a 5:? Cine :s W m L m m m m 2K 2KATTORNEY N 3, 1 91,2 71 CONTACT TERMINALS A. MIN AN H. JOHNSO G ANDPULLING ELECTRICAL RECEPTACLE ll Sheets-Sheet 2 June 29, 1965 METHOD OFFOR INTO Original Filed June 29, 1959 FIG. 4

FIG. 3

June 29, 1965 A. H. JOHNSON 3,191,271 METHOD OF FORMING AND PULLINGCONTACT TERMINALS INTO AN ELECTRICAL REGEPTACLE Original Filed June 29,1959 ll Sheets-Sheet 3 Fm 5 FIG. 6

June 29, 1965 A. H. JOHNSON 3,191,271 METHOD OF FORMING AND PULLINGCONTACT TERMINALS INTO AN ELECTRICAL RECEPTACLE Original Filed June 29,1959 11 Sheets-Sheet 4 June 29, 1965 JOHNSON 3,191,271

METHOD OF FORMING AND PULLING CONTACT TERMINALS INTO AN ELECTRICALRECEPTACLE Original Filed June 29, 1959 11 Sheets-Sheet 5 FIG. 9

FIG. 10

June 29, 1965 H JQHN$QN 3,191,271

METHOD OF FORMING AND PULLING CONTACT TERMINALS INTO AN ELECTRICALRECEPTACLE Original Filed June 29, 1959 ll Sheets-Sheet 6 FIG. I1

June 29, 1965 JOHNSON 3,191,271

METHOD OF FORMING AND PULLING CONTACT TERMINALS IN'ro AN ELECTRICALRECEPTACLE Original Filed June 29, 1959 ll Sheets-Sheet '7 FIG. 12

June 29, 1965 A. H. JOHNSON 3,191,271

METHOD OF FORMING AND PULLING CONTACT TERMINALS INTO AN ELECTRICALRECEPTACLE Original Filed June 29, 1959 11 Sheets-Sheet 8 FIG.13

June 29, 1965 A. H. JOHNSON 3 19 METHOD OF FORMING AND PULLING CONTACTTERMINALS INTO AN ELECTRICAL RECEPTACLE Original Filed June 29, 1959 11Sheets-Sheet 9 11 Sheets-Sheet 10 June 29, 1965 A. H.. JOHNSON METHOD OFFORMING AND PULLING CONTACT TERMIN INTO AN ELECTRICAL RECEPTACLEOriginal Filed June 29, 1959 June: 29, 1965 A. H. JOHNSON 3,191,271

METHOD OF FORMING AND FUELING CONTACT TERMINALS ,m'ro AN ELECTRICALRECEPTACLE Otiginal Filed June 29, 1959 1; Sheets-Sheet 1'1 M406 wZOUnited States Patent METHOD OF FORMING AND PULLING CONTACT TERMINALSINTQ) AN ELECTRICAL REOEP- TACLE Alfred H. Johnson, Endicott, N.Y.,assignor to international Business Machines Corporation, New York, N.Y.,a corporation of New York Original application June 29, 1959, Ser. No.823,565, now

- Patent No. 3,077,023, dated Feb. 12, 1963. Divided and thisapplication Feb. 26, 1962, Ser. No. 175,467

4 Claims. (Cl. 29-15555) This invention relates to a method for formingand inserting contact elements into a receptacle and, more particularly,to a method for forming and inserting contact elements into a receptaclewith the contact elements still connected to the material from whichthey are formed. After the contact elements are inserted and securedrelative to the receptacle, they are severed or disconnected from thestock material.

This application is a division of the copending application of Alfred H.Johnson, Serial No. 823,565, filed June 29, 1959, now US. Patent3,077,023, dated February 12, 1963.

Heretofore, it had been the practice to form the contact elements fromstock material and separate the same from the stock material prior totheir insertion into a receptacle. This practice, while generallysatisfactory, has certain disadvantages which are overcome by thepresent invention.

When the contact elements are formed and separated from the stock fromwhich they are formed prior to insertion into a receptacle, handling andstorage problems for the contact elements are created. Once the contactelements are formed, it is essential that they do not become twisted ordistorted prior to insertion into the receptacle. Further, the separatecontact elements re quire storage until the mechanism for inserting theminto the receptacle is ready to accept them. Hence, mechanism isrequired to transport the contact elements from storage to the insertingmechanism. The contact elements must not become damaged either instorage or in transit.

The problem of the contact elements becoming damaged prior to insertioninto the receptacle is obviated in the present invention because thecontact elements, after being formed, are immediately inserted into thereceptacle while still being connected to the stock material. Since thecontact elements are first formed and then inserted while connected tothe stock material, the handling and transporting problems attendantwith separate contact elements are eliminated.

Normally, the insertion of separate contact elements into a receptacleis not a very difiicult task. However, it becomes somewhat of a problemto insert separate contact elements into a receptacle when the contactelements must be pulled into position. While it would be possible toprovide each separate contact element with sufficient surplus stock toact as a leader for positioning and then trimming oif this surplusstock, this type of operation would be costly. In the instant invention,the stock material acts as a leader because it is inserted into thereceptacle prior to forming the Contact elements. After the contactelements are formed, the stock mate rial which is still connected to thecontact elements serves as a leader for enabling the contact elements tobe pulled into position.

This invention also provides for forming and inserting contact elementsinto a receptacle having adjacent rows of receiving passageways offsetfrom each other. The contact elements to be inserted in one row ofpassageways are formed and inserted at one work station while thecontact elements to be inserted in the ofiset adjacent row ofpassageways are formed and inserted at another work station.

Accordingly, it is a principal object of this invention to provide animproved method for forming and inserting contact elements into areceptacle.

A more specific object of this invention is to provide an improvedmethod for forming and inserting contact elements into a receptaclewhich includes the feeding of the stock material into the receptacleprior to the forming of the contact elements.

Another more specific object of the invention is to provide a method forforming and inserting contact elements into a receptacle which includesinserting the formed contact elements into the receptacle before thecontact elements are severed from the remaining stock material fromwhich they are formed.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a method for formingand inserting contact elements into a receptacle having adjacent rows ofreceiving passageways offset from each other which forms and insertscontact elements into one row of receiving passageways at one workstation and forms and inserts contact elements into an adjacent row ofoffset receiving passages at another work station.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a method for formingand inserting contact elements into receptacles having adjacent rows ofreceiving passageways offset from each other which forms and insertscontact elements into alternate rows of receiving passageways of onereceptacle at one work station while forming and inserting contactelements into alternate rows of receiving passages of another receptacleat another work station.

Another desirable feature of the invention is that, after the contactelements are inserted and seated Within the receptacle, they may besevered from the stock material at different positions to leave portionsof predetermined lengths extending from the base of the receptacle. Theportions of the contact elements extending from the receptacle are forfacilitating cable connections such as by wrapping several turns of wirearound the extending portions of the contact elements. Of course, ifcable con nections are not to be made, the contact element may besevered from the stock material at the base of the receptacle.

The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of theinvention will be apparent from the following more particulardescription of preferred embodiments of the invention, as illustrated inthe accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing the two work stations whereatapparatus is located for forming and inserting contact elements intoreceptacles and for advancing the receptacles relative to the workstations;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of one of the receptacles having the formedcontact elements inserted therein and extending through apertures of aback panel attached to the base of the receptacle, sec-tions of thereceptacle are broken away to show the contact elements and their relative positions within the receptacle;

'FIG. 3 is a detail view of a contact element illustrative of contactelements having that particular configuration;

FIG. 4 is a detail view of a contact element illustrative of contactelements of the other configuration or those positioned in thereceptacle adjacent to the contact elements having the configuration asshown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a front elevational view of the apparatus for forming andinserting the contact elements of one configuration into the receptaclespositioned relative there-to mechanism schematically shown in FIG. 1,,the receptacle advancing mechanism is shown with the feed fingersdctenting the receptacles in position;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of'the receptacle advanc ing mechanism withsections broken away to expose the various elements of the'rrnzch-anism;1

The tailporti-on 12 of each contact element 'is provided withdimpleeformed prqtuberances 14, FIGS. 3 and 4, located near theintermediate portion 13 of the coin tact elements It) which, uponinsertion of the formed contact elements 19 into the receptacle 2%, FIG.2, bite into the portion between the floor 21 and base 23 of thereceptacle and surround the passageways 22 so as to firmly 'anchor thecontact elements 10 relative tothe receptacle 2%). Further, byanchoring, the contact elements 10 in this manner, any disturbanceof thetail portion 12 of the contact elements 10 will not be transmitted tothe contact portionil. Hence, theelectrical connection estab- FIG. 9 isa detail plan view of the contact element forming dies and the mechanismfor actuating the same;

'FIG. 10 is a perspective yiew of the mechanismtor' actuating thecontact element forming dies; 7 r

, FIG. 11 is an isometric view showing the stock feeding and pullingmechanism and showing, in part, the

contact element cutoff mechanism; V

FIG. 12 is a plan view of the mechanism for seating the formedcontactelements within the receptacle;

FIG 13 is an end elevation-a1 view of the apparatus lished between thecontact portion 11 of the contact elements 10 and'the terminals of thepluggable element, not shown, will not be disturbed. Whereas if thiselectrical connection were disturbed the contact elements 10 would morethan likely re-establish the electrical connection through adjacentsurface oxideslor foreign matter to result in a faulty connection.

The receptacle with the formed and inserted contact elements isdescribed in greater detail in the copending for forming andinsertingthe contact elements of one" configuration into the receptaclesat one of the work stations;

FIGS. 14a, 14b and 140 are schematic views showing the relativepositions of the stock feeding and pulling. mechanism after the stock isfed'between the forming dies,

after the seating of the formed contact elements, and after the severingof the contact elements from the stock-material and the advancement ofthe receptacle;

FIG. 15 is a schematic view of the control circuitry for controlling theoperation of. the contact element forming and inserting apparatus ateach of the work stations; and,

FIG. 16 is a timing diagram showing one cycle of operation of thecontact element forming and inserting apparatus.

General This invention involves a methocl'and apparatus for forming andinserting stressed contact elements 1c, FIG. 2, into a receptacle 2%)having a plurality of floored cavities 30 with opposite side and endwalls 31 and 32, respec- 1 tively, each cavity 30 being provided with aplurality of transversely spaced separators 33 extending from one-0f theside walls 31 toward the opposite side wall 31 and.

of the receptacle 20. The floor 21 of each cavity 30 in the receptacle.communicates with two spaced apart rows of alternately disposedpassageways 22extending from the floor 21 of the cavity 30 to andthrough the base.23 of the receptacle 2t).

The cont-act elements 1c associated with each cavity 30 of thereceptacle 20 are two dififerent configurations application of A. H.Johnson, Serial No. 752,038, filed 'July 30, 1958, now Patent'3,008,113,dated Novemher 7, 1961. Th'e above generally describes the structure ofthe receptacle 2t and contact elements 10 and the disposition of thecontact elements 10 within the receptacle 20; The

following will describe in general the method and apparatus for formingand inserting the contact elements into thereceptacle. The cont-actelements it} are formed from strip stock 4% which is'fed by a stockfeeding and pulling mechanism 100, FIG. 1, through a stock cutoffmechanismZM, and through the passageways 22 and cavities 30 of thereceptacles 20 to enterbetween contact element forming dies 300.

It'would be possible to form the contact elements 10 for the adjacentrow of passageways 22 at the same work station. However, this wouldrequire a lateral shift of, the receptacle 20 or of the stockfeeding andpulling mechanism 100 and the stock cutoff mechanism 280' because of theoffset arrangement of the adjacent rows of passageways 22 in thereceptacles 20. In this example, FIG. 1, there are two work stations.One station is provided for forming and seating the contact elements it?of one configuration into one row of passageways 22,

while a second station spaced 'from the first station 50 is'providedforforming and seating the contact elements 10 of: the other configurationinto the adjacent row of passageways 22. Hence, it is seen thateveryother so that a contact portion 11 of each contact element It abutsthe aforesaid opposite side wall 31 and a tail per .t-i-on 12 extendsthrough one of the passageways 22 to projectfrom the base 23 of thereceptacle 2'9. Since the passageways 22 associated with each cavity 39are in two spaced apart offset rows, an intermediate portion=13 of thecontact elements 10 is shaped so as to-lead thetail portion 12 into thepassageways 22. Hence, the intermediate portions 13 of adjacent contactelements 14 are row of passageways 22 receives the tail portion 12 ofthe contact elements ltl'formed at one station. The adjacent rows ofpassageways 22 are spaced A inch apart; therefore, the receptacles 20are fed in increments of /2 inch at each station so as to bring intoposition another'like row of passageways 22., Except for theconfiguration of the forming dies 3%, the mechanism at one work stationis substantially identical to that at the other Work station.Accordingly, the apparatus located at one of thework stations, the workstation 50, will be described in detail and this will sufiice as adescription for the apparatus located at the other work station 60.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 5, the contact elements 10, represented by thecontact element 10 shown in FIG. 4, are formed at station 50 frommetallic strip stock 40, preferably tin-plated Phosphor bronze, which iscontained upon two rows of four, parallelly spaced supply one row ofaligned passageways 22 of a receptacle 29,

into the cavityctl and therebeyond' to extend between the pair ofcooperating contact element forming dies 3% a sufi'icient amount topermit the forming of the contact elements having a configurationwhereby the intermediate portion 13 will lead the tail portion 12 intothe passageways 22 through which the stock 41) had entered.

The stock feeding and pulling mechanism 160 has two primary functions.It serves to feed the stock 40 upward through the stock cutofi mechanism260, the receptacle 2t), and between the forming dies 300. It alsoserves to pull the stock 40 downward after the contact elements 10 areformed so as to seat the contact elements 10 into the receptacle 20. Thestock feeding and pulling mechanism 1% is carried by a slide member 110,FIGS. 5, 11 and 13, which reciprocates within another slide member 120.The slide members 11% and 120 are connected to be independently operatedby pneumatic cylinder drive elements 111 and 121, respectively, ofconventional form, FIG. 5. While the cylinder 111 is adequate to operatethe slide 110 carrying the stock feeding and pulling mechanism 10%) whenfeeding the stock 40 into position for forming, a cam 161) driven by apneumatic cylinder 161 through gearing 163 additionally acts upon theslide 110 to force the same together with the stock feeding and pullingmechanism 160 downward during the operation for seating the formedcontact elements 10 in the receptacle 20. This additional force isdesirable because of the high force requirements for seating the formedcontact elements 10 in the receptacle by pulling on the stock materialto draw the dimpleformed protuberances 14 into the passageways 22.

The slide 121) carries the stock cutoff mechanism 2%, FIGS. 5 and 11,which functions to sever the tail portion 12 of the formed contactelements It from the stock 40. As the stock cutoff mechanism 290operates to sever the tail portion 12 of the contact elements 10 fromthe stock 413, it also cuts out a clearance piece of stock 41 to preventinterference between the severed contact elements 10 and the stock 40 asthe receptacle 20 is advanced to bring another like row of passageways22 into position for receiving the stock material 40. The cutoffmechanism 200, best seen in FIG. 11, includes a fixed female die element210 and a slidable male die element 220. The slidable male die element220 is actuated by rods or plungers 230 operated by a pneumatic cylinder231. By this arrangement, the cutolf mechanism 200 may be moved in avertical direction while being acted upon by the plunger 230.

The strips of stock material 40 are fed by the stock feeding and pullingmechanism 101) between contact element forming dies 300, FIGS. 5 and 9.In order to form the contact elements 10, the forming dies 300 arereciprocated toward each other by means of cams 330 and 340. The cams330 and 340 act upon cam followers 310 and 324) carried by the formingdies 309. The cams 330 and 340 are fixedly mounted on shafts 331 and 341which also carry gears 332 and 342. The gears 332 and 342 are caused torotate by means of a rack 350 driven by a pneumatic cylinder 351. As thegears 332 and 342 rotate, the cams 330 and 340 act upon the camfollowers 310 and 320 and thereby move the forming dies 300 toward eachother to form the contact elements 10.

The receptacles 20, FIG. 2, are grooved along their sides to be receivedby a pair of spaced apart guide and support rails 410 and 420, FIG. 9,which extend from one work station to the other. The receptacles 29 areadvanced along the support rails 410 and 420 in /2-inch increments by areceptacle feeding mechanism 4%, FIGS. 1, 7 and 8. The work stations andare spaced from each other to permit the advancement of the receptacles20 in uniform or the same increments, even though alternate rows ofpassageways 22 will be successively positioned at the respective workstations. The receptacle advancing mechanism 461 is operated by apneumatic cylinder 43%, FIGS. 7 and 8, and essentially consists of arectangular, longitudinal rod 432 carrying spaced pivotally mounted feedfingers 433. The feed fingers 433 each have a hook-shaped end 434 whichis adapted to mate with a series of spaced V-shaped notches 24 providedin the sides of the receptacles 20. The apexes of the V-shaped notches24 are located on /2-inch centers. The feed fingers 433 serve to bothfeed the receptacles 28 in Az-inch increments and to detent thereceptacles 26 in position for receiving the stock material 411 which isto be formed into the contact elements 10 by the forming dies 3110.

Stock feeding and pulling mechanism The stock feeding and pullingmechanisms at each work station 50 and 6%) are identical and eachfunctions to feed the stock 40 upward through the stock cutoff mechanism200 and the aligned row of passageways 22 and the cavity 34 of thereceptacles 20 and therebeyond to permit the forming of the contactelements 10 by the forming dies 300. After the contact elements 10 areformed, they are seated within the receptacles 20 by the stock feedingand pulling mechanism 100.

The stock feeding and pulling mechanism 1%, FIGS. 5, 11 and 13, consistsof the slide having eight centrally located parallelly spaced passages112 extending I the length thereof to accommodate eight strips of stockmaterial 40. The stock material 40 extends through the eight passages112 to the stock cutoff mechanism 200. Each of the passages 112 at itsupper end is recessed so that an inclined pocket 113 sloping upwardly tothe right is formed. The inclined pockets 113 are part of a frictionstock feeding device which also includes for each pocket 113 a sphericallatch 114 biased into the pocket 113 and against the stock 40 passingthrough the associated passage 112 by an arched cantilever spring 115fixed at one end to the slide 110. By this arrangement, as the slide 110is moved upward, the eight strips of stock 411 also move upward becausethey are held against relative movement by the latches 114.

The eight strips of stock material 40 are initially threaded through thepassages 112 of the stock feeding and pulling mechanism 100 and throughthe stock cutoif mechanism 2%. Upon the initial insertion of the stockmaterial 40, the stock cutoff mechanism 200 may be operated to trim thestock 40. Also, by trimming the stock 40, the trimmed end will be in theproper position so that, when the slide 110 is moved upward during afeeding operation, the stock 40 will be carried upward through thepassageways 22 and cavity 30 of the receptacle 20 and between theforming dies 300 the right amount, whereby complete contact elements 10will be formed by the forming dies 300 without a subsequent trimmingoperation.

While the latches 114 function to prevent movement of the stock material4-0 relative to the slide 110 during a stock feeding operation, anothermechanism is utilized for this function during the pulling of the stock40 for seating the formed contact elements 10.

The lower end of the slide 110 adjacent to the passages 112 is recessedto form a lateral outwardly opening groove 116 with an inclined wall 117sloping downwardly to the right. A latch bar 118 is disposed within thegroove 116 and has a serrated face 119 directed toward the passages 112and an opposite face 123 inclined to complement the inclined wall 117 ofthe groove 116. The latch bar 118 is biased into the groove 116 by meansof an arched cantilever spring 124 fixed at one end to the slide 110.

Pins 125 fixed to project from each side of the latch bar 113 areadapted to engage cam surfaces 126 formed at one of the ends of latchrelease levers 127 pivotally mounted on the slide 119 to flank the sidesthereof. The latch release levers 127 are provided with holes locatedintermediate their ends through which pins 128 extend. The pins 128 arepressed fitted into a hole or bore 129 extending the width of the slide110. The other ends of recesses 130which are adapted to mate with spacedapart spring-biased ball detents 131 and 132 located in bores 133 and134 machined into the sides of the slide 110.

Each latch release lever 127 holds the ball detents 131 and 132 in theirrespective bores 133 and 134; however, only one ball of the balls 131and 132 detents the associated latch release lever 127 in one of the twopositions at any one time. With the latch release levers 127 detentedbythe balls 131, the spring 124 is prevented from urging the latch bar118 upward and into engagement with the eight strips of stock material4%. When the.

latch release levers 127 are pivoted into position so that the balls 132are-detentingthem, the spring 124 is unopposed by the latch releaselevers 127 and the latch bar 118 is urged by the spring 124 to engagethe'strips of stock material. 40. i

The slide. is moved means of the pneumatic cylinder 111 having a pistonrod. 135 passing through a clearance hole 136 in a bottom plate 137 ofthe mainslide and fixedly attached to a foot portion 138 of the slide110. The bottom plate 137 serves to mount the cylinder 111. As it willbe'seen shortly, the slide 11% may be moved relative to or with the mainslide 120. During a stock'feeding operation, the slide 110 ismovedupward relative to the main slide 120 as the cylinder 111 isoperated to extendthe piston rod 135. As the slide 110 moves upward, thestock material 40is also carried upward, the stock 41 being gripped bythe spherical latches 114. Also, during the stock feeding operation, thelatch release levers 127, are detented in position by the balls 131 tohold the latch bar 118 out of engagement with'the stock materialdh.However, as

upwardly and downwardly by the receptacle 26 isadvanced by thereceptacle advancing mechanism 4%, the stock cutoff mechanism ztw'iscarried downward by means of the main slide 120 to which it is attached.p

The main slide1 2tl' has two principal functions. It serves to move thestockcutoffmechanism 2% clear of the contact elements 119 severed fromthe stock material 4 1 It also serves, at the same time, to carry theslide 1 16 together with its associated cylinder 111 and stockstraightener 7t) downward to reset the latch release levers 127. Thetotal downward movement of the main slide 11-20 is approximately inch.This is sufficient to bring the stock cutoff mechanism 2130 clear of thesevered contact elements'llfi' and to move the'latch release levers 127clear of projections 172 of an actuating block 178 fixed to the supportelement 1'42. Movement'of the main slide 121 causes the latch releaselevers 127 to be pivoted counterclockwise by the projections17 2,whereby the latch release levers 127 act upon the pins to earn the latchbar. 118 out of engagement. with the stock rnaterialdtl.

With the latch bar 11-13 out of engagement with the stock material 419,the cylinder 1'11 maybe operated to retract the piston rod and therebymove the slide 1110 to the home. position. The mainslide'i 121 may thenbe moved upward or be returned to its homev position.

the slide 110 reaches the limit of its upward travel, the V latchreleaselevers 127 engage pins 139, FIG. 5, disposed to projectdownwardfrom a .sidewardly projecting :leg

140 of an angle member 141 fixed to a vertical support element 142. Asthe latchrelease levers 127. engage the piston rod 135 is retracted tomove the sliden11ti downward. Thev cylinder111 is quite adequate forfur: nishing power tofeed the stock material 41 however, it is notrelied upon to pull the stock material '46 to seat the contact elements10 .within the receptacle 2%.

Since the protuberances 14 of the contact elements 161 biteinto the basesection of the receptacle 20 so that the contact elements ltlbec'omefirmly anchored relative The main slide 12,as seen in FIGS. .5 and 13,is operated by the pneumatic cylinders 121 having vertically members117% and 11-86 arefixed to a stationary base 181 which .is'slotted topermit the passage of guides-182 for the slide 11%) and the bottomplate'137 of the main slide. The clearance holes 177 and 176 are quiteadequate to permit it-inch motion of the slide 126.

Stock straightener 7 At each workstation 51) and 60, there are stockstraighteners 7t). Eachstock straightener 70 is fixed to depend from thelower base of the cylinder 1:11 and functions to iron outany kinks orbends in thecoiled strips of stock 7 material (it). The stockstraightener '70 consists of a housing '71 bored and-slotted to journala .series of straightening rolls '72 and .to provide passages for thestock mato the receptacle 20, a rather. high force is-necessary for thisoperation. Hence, a force additional to the cylinder";

111 is provided to move the, slide 1119 downward.- This additional forceis derived fromithe pneumatic cylinder 161, FIG. 5, having a piston rod162 attached to'a rack 164 which meshes or cooperates with a gear 165 ofthe gearing 163. The gear 165 is fixed to a shaft 166 journaled insupport plates 167 and 168 and carrying the cam 160. The cam 160. isdisposed to act. upon a' cam follower 169 journaled on pin 170pressedinto and fixed to extend from one side of the foot'138 of the slide 110to force the same downward as the shaft 166 isrotated through the gear1'65'and rack-164; I I Y With the contact elements 16 fully seated asthe slide 1 10 is forced downward by the cam 16%, the stock cutoffmechanism 2% is operated to cut the tail portion 12 of the contactelements 10, fromthe stock material 49. As

it will be seen later herein, the stock cutoff mechanism- However;inorder for the formed andseated contact. elements 10 to clear thestock. cutoff mechanism 2013- 219 terial 4th. The stock material 4-0 isguided into the lower end of the housing 711 by a bell-shaped slottedopening 73 and passes. a first group of parallelly spaced straighteningrolls 74.journaled upon asupport rod '75 and disfromflhe right sidethereofj Similarly, there is a group of straightening rolls 78 disposedto the left of the stock feed path near the place where the stockmaterial 40 emer es from the housing 7 1.

. Inter-mediate of the groups of straighteningrolls 76 and '73 aredisposed two groups of straightening rolls '79 and 39 having theirperiphery extending through; the stock feed path and to the right andleft thereof, respectively.

' By this arrangement, any kinks in the stocked, regardless of theirdirection, will be straightened;

Stock cu t ofi mechanism a The stock cutolfmechanism 2% at each workstation is identical and is fixed to project from the main slide 120 tothe right, FIGS.; 5 and'il. Themain slide 120 is provided with anoutwardly relieved bore 120:! for receiving the clearance piecesot stockmaterial 41., The stock cutof]? mechanism 2% essentially consists .ofthe stationary female die element 210 and the slidable male die element220. The male and female die elements 220 and 210 are contoured to formor trim the end of the remaining stock material 43 and the ends of thecontact elements It and leave clearance pieces 41. Also, the male dieelement 223, which is contoured to complement the female die element 211includes a series of spaced spring-loaded pins 12411 which are disposedto abut the strips of stock material 40 as the male die element 223 isreciprocated to the left during the cutoff operation.

The male die element 221) is reciprocated Within a slotted housing 221secured to the main slide 120 by action of the pneumatic cylinder 2'31mounted in an upright position by an L-shaped bracket 251) extendingfrom the vertical support element 142. The cylinder 2.31 is providedwith a piston rod 232 having links 233 and 234 of a toggle linkageconnected to its end. The other end of the link 233 is supported upon apin 235 fixed to extend from the L-shaped bracket 250, while the otherend of the link 234 -is attached to one end of the rod 231) slidablysupported in a bored block 236 fixed to the upper end of the supportelement 142. The other end of the rod 231) abuts the outer face of themale die element 220.

As the piston rod 232 of the cylinder 231 is extended, the links 233 and234 are moved with the piston rod 232 to slide the rod 236 to the left.Since the end of the rod 230 is in engagement with the outer face of themale die element 226, the male die element 220 will be reciprocated tothe left as the rod 230 is moved to the left by the piston rod 232through the linkage as the cylinder 231 is operated. Because the pins240 are spring loaded, they may engage the stock strips 46 in advanceor" the male die element 220 and permit continued movement of the maledie element 220 which then coopenates with the female die element 210 toshear the stock material 40.

After the shearing operation, the main slide 123 is lowered by thecylinders 121; but the cylinder 231 remains operated so that the pins243 are still urged against the upper end of the remaining stockmaterial 40. As the main slide 120 is lowered, the slide 110, thecylinder 111 and straightening mechanism 70 are also lowered.

The lowering of the main slide 120 carries the same and the stock cutoffmechanism 200 clear of the previously formed and inserted contactelements 10. In order for the main slide 1261 together with the stockcutoif mechanism 201) to be in the fully upward position at the workstation 69 without interfering with the contact elements inserted intothe receptacle at the work station 51), both the housing 221 of thestock cutoff mechanism 201) and the main slide 120 are bored from thetop, as seen in FIGS. 11 and 12, to provide for two rows of holes 260for receiving the tail portion 12, of two rows of contact elements 13inserted at work station 50.

Contact element forming dies The contact element forming dies 300located at the first work station 59 form contact elements 10 from thestock material 41) having the configuration of the contact element 13shown in FIG. 4, while the forming dies 36-9, FIG. 6, located at thesecond work station 60 form contact elements 11} having theconfiguration of the contact element 10 shown in FIG. 3. While theforming dies 344) at the two work stations 51) and 61) are of differentconfigurations, the mechanism for operating the dies is substantiallyidentical.

The die elements 300 at each work station, FIGS. 5 and 9, are providedwith bars or ways 301 fixed to their sides. These bars 341 are adaptedto slide witlnn inwardly opening grooves 302 formed within fixed guides303 which slidably support the forming die elements 300 from each side.

The rear end of the forming die elements 309, FIG. 9, are notched toreceive rotatably mounted cam followers 310 and 320 journalcd on shafts311 and 321 extending through the die elements 300. The cam followers310 and 321) are urged to follow cams 330 and 340 mounted on shafts 331and 341 journaled in the guides 303 and extending from the guides 343into bores 348 provided in a stationary housing 349 fixed to the guiderail 420 for mounting and supporting the receptacles 20. The shafts 331and 341 carry the gears 332 and 342 which mesh with the rack 35%attached to one end of a piston rod 352 of the pneumatic cylinder 351.

Hence, as the cylinder 351 is operated to extend the piston rod 352, therack 350 is moved to the left, thereby rotating the gears 332 and 342.As the gears 332 and 342 rotate, the shafts 331 and 341 to which theyare fixed are also rotated. Thus, the cams 330 and 340, which are alsofixed to the shafts 331 and 341, are rotated. Rotation of the cams 336and 340 causes the forming die elements 3% to be moved toward each otheras the cam followers 310 and 323 follow the cam surfaces of the cams331) and 341). The cam followers 310 and 320 are urged to follow thecams 330 and 340 by means of springs 353 and 354 having one end fixed tothe die elements 300 and the other end fixed to the shafts 331 and 341,respectively. As the shafts 331 and 341 rotate, the springs 353 and 354partially wrap the shafts, the rotation of the shafts being limited toWhen the cylinder 351 is operated to retract the piston rod 352, theforming die elements 3113 are moved away from each other as the springs353 and 354 urge the cam followers 310 and 320 to follow the cams 331iand 34h.

Receptacle advancing mechanism The receptacle advancing mechanism 400,FIGS. 1, 7 and 8, advances the receptacles 20 along guide and supportrails 413 and 420 to successively position rows of passageways 22 toreceive the stock material 41 at the two work stations 50 and 60. Thetwo rows of assageways 22 associated with each cavity 30 are on it-inchcenters; hence, in order to present alternate rows of passageways 22 inposition to receive the stock material 441, the receptacle advancingmechanism 403 advances the receptacles 20 in /z-inch increments. Thework stations 50 and 60 are spaced from each other to permit theadvancement of the receptacles in uniform increments so that successivealternate rows of passageways 22 will be presented in position at thework stations 50 and 63.

The receptacles 21), supported by the guide rails 410 and 421), areprovided with spaced V-shaped notches 24 which are adapted to receivethe hooked ends 434 of the spaced feed fingers 433 pivotally mounted onthe longitudinal, rectangular rod 432. One end of the rod 432 isfastened to a pentagon-shaped mounting bracket 440, three sides being ofone dimension while the other two sides being of a different dimension.

The mounting bracket 443 is bored to receive one end of a piston rod 431of the pneumatic cylinder 430. The cylinder 4311 is fixed to one end ofa longitudinal support member 441 which attaches to the guide rail 410.The support member 441 is grooved to guide the rectangular rod 432 andis channeled to accommodate the feed fingers 433 and a series of spacedcamming detent rolls 442 which act upon the feed fingers 433 to holdthem down into the V-shaped notches 24 at the end of the feed stroke andthereby detent the receptacles 20 in position. The detent rolls 442 aremounted upon pins 443 which are pressed into holes provided in thesupport member 441. The feed fingers 433 have a beveled surface 444which is adapted to engage the detent rolls 442. As the feed fingers 433engage the detent rolls 442, they are held down into the V-shapednotches 24 provided in the sides of the receptacles 20. In this manner,the receptacles 20 are precisely located and held against movement atthe work stations.

The feed fingers 433 are merely pivotally mounted to the rod 432.However, they are prevented, during the feeding operation, from jumpingor bouncing out of the V-shaped notches 24 by means of spring-loadedplungcrs :ton rod 431.

fingers 433 moves to the left as the, piston rod 431 re-' tracts; and,during this movement, the;feed fingers 433 7 It 31 I 445 depending fromand attachedtothe channeled support member 441. The degree that theplungersi'445 de- By the arrangement just described, when the cylinder430 isoperated to advancethe piston rod 431, the feed fingers 433residing in the V-shaped notches 24 are carried.

to the right and thereby advance the receptacles 20. Subsequently, thecylinder 43s is operated to retract the pis- However, the rod 432carrying the. feed ride out of the V-shaped'notchcs 24}. v p

In order to enable the feed fingers 433 to ride out of the V-shapednotches 24 without moving the receptacles 2d,-a series of spaced detentmechanisms 45%, FIG. 9,

are provided. These detent mechanisms 4% are. mounted on the supportrail 424i, and the housing 349 is'notched accomplish this, the cylinderin is operated to extend the pend from the support member 441' isadjustable to provide the best control.

slide "1-143 fully upward. The slide 11%, itself, actuatescontactswitchesCSS and CS6, FIG. 5.; The switch CS is fixed to thebaseldl so as to be actuated by the slide 116 when thesame is inthedownward or retracted position. 1 With slide 114) in the downwardposition, the contacts of the switch CS5 are open, because the contactsof switch CS5 are normally closed. The switch 036 is fixed to the leg149 of the angle member 141 in a position so as to be actuatedby theslide 11s when the same is in 'the upward position. With the slide 110in the upward position, the contacts of the switch CS6 are closed.

The stock tlhavin'g been fed between the forming dies 3%, the cylinder351 isoperated to extend the rack 350 and thereby move the dies 3%toward each other to form the contact elements 10. After the con-tactelements to accommodate the detent mechanisms 450. The detent mechanismseach essentially consist of .a pivotally mounted'serrated latch 45 1biased by a compression spring 452. contained in a bore of a block 453fixed to the support rail 420., The serrations 454 of the latch 451engage the one side of the receptacles 2t asthe latch 451 is urged bythe spring 452. The serrations 454 are so formed to permit movement ofthe receptacles 2% to the rightbut hold the receptacles againstmovementto the left.

Control circuitry The mechanism for forming and inserting the formedcontact elements into the receptacles and for'successively indexing thereceptacles, as described above, operates in a particular sequence. Byfirst understanding this 'se quence, the control circuitry will be moreeasily under stood.

The firstevent to take place isthe positioning ofthe receptacles 29. Thereceptacles 29 may be supplied in any convenient manner, such as from avibratory feed hopper. The receptacles may then be guided so that one ofthe receptacles 20 is supported by the guide rails 4910- the first feedfinger 433 to bring the first cavity 36,.in the direction of travel ofthe receptacle, into posit-ion for the formation and insertion ofcontact elements 1d into'the' second row of passages 22 associated withthe first cavity 3t).

Asthe cylinder 43%, FIG. 8,'is operated to extend and retract the rod432 carrying the feed fingers 4'33, contact switches CS1 andCSZ areoperated. The switches CS1 and CS2 are operated by a pin Sill fixed toextend from; the side of'the rod 432 and through aslot 5% formed in thesupport member 441. With the rod 432 retracted, the contacts of theswitch CS3 are open, the contacts are normally closed, .and the contactsof the switch CS2 are open.

'With the receptacle zop 'ositioned by the feed finger 433 uponadvancement of the rod 432, the cylinderlill for advancing the mainslide 1 20, FIGS. 5 and 13, is operated to bring the slide 12% into theextended upward position.

As the slide 120 moves up and down, FIG. 13,contact switches CS3 and CS4are operated. The sWit-chC-SS is attached to the guide member 179 in .aposition to be actuated by the end of the piston rod 174 when the sameis fully extended. The switch CS4 is fixed to extend from' the guidemember 184} in a position to be actuated by an arm 5% fixed to the slide120 to extend through a' slot are formed, the'cylinder 351,.is operatedto retract the raclcSSii to open the dies 3%;

As the cylinder 351 is operated .to extend and retract the'rack35e, FIG.9, switches CS7 and CS8 are operated.

:The switches CS7 and CS8 are fixed to the housing 352 to be operated bya pin Sits-fixed to extend from the rack 359 through a slot 506formed-in the outer facing side of the housing 352. g 7

With the dies 300 in the open position or the rack G retracted, thecontacts of the switch CS7 are closed and the contacts of the'sw-itchCS8 are open.

After the forming dies 3% are returned to their open fposition, theformed contact elements are seated. This and 426) and "is positioned atthe first work station 59 by is accomplished by operating the cylinder111 in a manner to retract the slide 1-10 and by operating the cylinder161 to retract the extended piston rod 162 and thereby rotate the camres through the gearing 161% As the earn 160 rotates, it acts upon thecam follower 169 to move the slide lit) downward to seat the formedcontact elements it. During this operation, the slide lit) moves approximately one-half of the way down and then stops with the tail of thelatch release levers 127 in engagement with the projections 17'2; I

Upon'the piston rod 162 reaching its fully retracted position, thecontacts of a switch CS9 are closed, FIG. 5. The switch CS9 is fixed tobe actuated by a lever 507 at- :tached to extend from the rod 162. Whilethe cylinder isit is operated to fully retract the piston rod 1-62, thecylfinder Ellis operated to. retract the slide only'halfway. Hence, thecontacts of the switch CS6 open as the slide 11a starts downward;however, because the slide 110 travels only halfway, the contacts of theswitchCSS still remain closed.

The next event to take place is the shearing of the tail portion 12 ofthe formed contact elements 10 from the stock material at). To shear-thecontact elements 10 from the stock 4-6, the cylinder 231 is operated toextend the CSltl when the piston rod 232'is fully extended. I

564' in the guide member 130. With the slide 12% in the upward position,the contacts of the switch CS3 are 'closed and the contacts of theswitch CS4, which consist Q of normally open and closed contacts, aretransferred so that the-normally closed contact is closed.v 5

After the slidelzii is in the upward position, thestock material 4%maybe fed through the aligned row of pas;

sageways 22 toenterbetween the forming dies3ilii. "To

With the contact elements 10 severed from the strips of stock 40, themain slide may be lowered to bring the stock cutoif mechanism 200 clearof the contact elements 19 so that the receptacles20may be advanced bythe receptacle advancing means 400. i The main slide 120 is lowered byoperating the cylinders 121 to retract the piston rods 174. Because thestock 40 must not be pulled out'of positionrelative tofthe stock cutoflmechamsmrztltl during this time, the cylinder 231 remains operated tohold the piston rod 23-2 extended.

' As the slide 121 moves downwardly, the latch release levers 127 arepivotedcounterclockwise by the projections CSlt) close.

172. In so doing, the latch release levers 127 act upon the pins 125 tocam the latch bar 118 out of engagement with the stock material 40,Further, upon the downward movement of the slide 120, the contacts ofthe switch 083 open; and, when the slide 120 is fully retracted, thecontacts of the contact switch CS4 transfer so that the normally opencontacts are closed.

With the latch bar 1'18 out of engagement with the stock material 40,the cylinder 111 is operated to retract the slide 1 to its fullyretracted position. When the slide 110 is fully retracted, the normallyclosed contacts of the contact switch CS5 are opened. Since the sl-ide119 is now retracted, the cylinder 231 may be operated to retract thepiston rod 232 to permit a subsequent feeding operation of the stockmaterial 40. Of course, when the piston rod 232 retracts, the contactsof the contact switch This completes a cycle of operation, and anotheror like cycle of operation may be repeated by operating the cylinder 430to retract the rod 432 and thereby retract the feed finger 433 whichwill then drop into the second V-shaped notch 24 so that, upon operatingthe cylinder 4-30 to advance the rod 43-2, the receptacle will beadvanced by the feed finger 4-33 to bring the second row of passageways22 of the succeeding cavity 36) into position for receiving the stockmaterial 40.

With the sequence of ope-ration of the con-tact element forming andinserting apparatus having been described,

the elements forming the control circuitry w-ill be de- .apparatuslocated at each work station. The circuitry is shown as beingindependently operated, whereas controls could be added whereby themechanisms at the work stations would be operating simultaneously oronly the mechanism at one work station would be operating. Until areceptacle arrives at work station 60, only the mechanism at station 50will be operating. When there are receptacles at both work stations,then the mechanisms the-reat operate simultaneously. Likewise, duringreceptacle runout from work station 50, only the mechanism at workstation 60 will be operating. The elements of the control circuitry areshown in their normal or unoperated position. One of the normally opencontacts of the contact switch CS2 is connected by a conductor 601 to anormally closed contact R6!) of a relay R6. The associated normally opencontact R611 is connected by continuation of the conductor 601 to oneterminal of a solenoid S6 having its other terminal returned to one sideof the AC. poten- ,tial, The other contact of the switch CS2 isconnected by a conductor 60-2 to a normally open contact Rite of a relayR1. The conductor 602 continues and connects the contact R10 to oneterminal of a solenoid S1 having its other terminal returned to the oneside of the AC. supply. The transfer contact associated with thenorm-ally open and closed contacts vR6b is connected to the other .sideof the AC. potential by a conductor 6% commonly connecting a transfercontact associated with normally open and closed contacts R21; andnormally open contacts R311 and R4!) of relays R2, R3 and R4,respectively.

The normally open contact R2!) is connected to one terminal of asolenoid S2 having its other terminal returned to the one side of theAC. supply. The normally closed contact R21; is connected .to a transfercontact as sociated with normally open and closed contacts R5]; of arelay R5 and a normally closed contact R7c of a relay R7. The normallyclosed contacts R5b and R70 are connected in parallel to one terminal ofa solenoid S7 which has its other terminal returned to the one side ofthe AC. supply. The normally open contact RSb is connected to ,oneterminal of a solenoid S5 having its other terminal returned to the oneside of the AC. supply, The normally open contact R31) is connected toone terminal of a solenoid S3, while the normally open contact R4]; isconnected to one terminal of a solenoid S4; the other teridminals ofsolenoids S3 and S4 are returned to the on side of the AC. supply.

The cylinder 351 for extending and retracting the rack 350, which, in.turn, through the gears 3-32 and 34-2 actuates the forming dies 3%, iscontrolled by the solenoid S3. When the olenoid S3 is energized, air isadmitted to the cylinder 35-1 to extend the rack 350 and thereby movethe forming dies 3% toward each other and close the same to form thecontact elements 10. On the other hand, when the solenoid S3 isde-energized, air is admitted to the cylinder 351 to retract the rack3-50 and thereby open the forming dies Silt).

The solenoid S4 controls the admission of air to the cylinder 161 whichextends and retracts the rack 164 for rotating the gear 165 to rotatethe cam 160. As the cam 16% rotates, it acts upon the cam follower 1 69to carry the slide downward to seat the formed contact elements '10.When the solenoid S4 is energized, air is admitted to the cylinder 16 1to retract the rack 164 and thereby cause the seating of the formedcontact elements 10. Upon de-energizat-ion of the solenoid S4, air isadmitted to the cylinder 161 to cause the rack 164 to extend.

,Of course, the solenoid S4 cannotbe de-energized until the slide 110 isready to be retracted the rest of the way to the downward position.

The solenoid S1 operates a valve for admitting air to the cylinder 121.When the solenoid S 1 is energized, air is admitted to the cylinder illto move the main slide upward; and, when the solenoid S1 isde-energized, air is admitted to the cylinder 12:1 to retract the slide120 or move it to its downward position. Operation of the cylinder 1:11which causes movement of the slide 110 is controlled by the solenoids S2and S7; the solenoid S2 is for controlling the upward movement of theslide 1 10 While the solenoid S7 controls the downward movement thereof.

The cylinder 4-30 which functions to advance and retract the rod 432during the operation for advancing the receptacles 20 is controlled bythe solenoid S6, When the solenoid S6 is energized, air is admitted tothe cylinder 430 to retract the rod 432 and maintain the same retracted;and, when the solenoid S6 is de-energized, air is admitted to extend therod 43-2 and maintain the same extended.

The solenoid S5 controls the admission of air to the cylinder 231 which,in elfect, operates the stock cutoff mechanism 2th). When the solenoidS5 is energized, air is admitted to the cylinder 231 so that the same iscaused to extend that associated piston rod 232 and thereby reciprocatethe male die element 220 into cooperative relationship with the femaledie element 210 to shear the formed contact elements 10 from the stripstock 40. When the solenoid S5 is de-energized, air is admitted to thecylinder 231 to retract the piston rod 232.

It is seen that the energization of the solenoids S1 to S7, inclusive,is under control of the contact switch CS2 and contacts of relays R1 toR7, inclusive. The relays R1 to R7 are under control of their owncontacts and the other contact switches CS1 and CS3 to CSltl, inclusive.

The transfer contact of the contact CS4 is connected to a conductor 6Mwhich leads to ground through a line switch LS. The normally closedcontact of the switch CS4 is connected to a normally open contact R712of the relay R7. The normally open contact R711 connects to one terminalof the relay R7 and to the normally open contact of the switch CS8. Theother terminal of the relay R7 is connected to +40 volt D.C. supply,while the normally open contact of switch CS8 connects to the conductor604.

The normally open contact CS4 connects to a normally closed contact Riaof the relay R1 and to a normally open contact of switch CS1. Thenormally closed contact Rla connects to a normally closed contact RSa ofrelay R5 and to a normally open contact Rea of relay R6. The normallyclosed contact R541 connects to one terminal of the relay R6; the

' open contact'Rda is connected to other terminal thereof is connectedto the +40 Volt DC. supply The normally the normally open confact of theswitch CS1.-

The relay R1 is connected between ground potential and the +40 voltsupply through a normally open contact R6b of the relay R6. The normallyopencontact Rob is also connected to a normally open contact Rlb ofrelay R1. The normally open contact Rlb is connected to the normallyclosed contact of the switch C810, the same being connected to theconductor 694. I

The normally closed contact CSlii is also connected to the normally opencontact of the switch CS3." The normally open contact of switch CS3 isconnected to a normally closed contact R4a of relay R4 connected'inserieswith normally closed contact R501 of relay R5 cona rs therebyfeedthe strips of stock material 4il'between the forming dies When theslides 110 reach their upward position, they close the contacts of theswitch CS6; This causes the relay R3 to become energized. Energizationof the relay 3th), the contacts of switch CS8 are closed. The opening ofthe contacts of switch CS7 has no effect because the normallyopen'contact R7ais open at the time. However, closure of the contacts ofswitch CS8 causes the nected to one terminal of the relay R2, the samehaving its other terminal connected to the volt supply.

The normally open contact of switch CS6 is connected. between theconductor 664 and one terminal of the relay R3. The other terminal ofthe relay R3 is connected to relay R7 to become-energized. Energizationof the relay R7 causes the relay R3 to becomes de-energized by openingthe normally closed contact R7a. De-energization of the relay R3 causesthe opening of contacts R31 whereby Upon the forming dies 3&0 opening,the contacts of the switchICSS are opened. Thiswould normally cause theralay R7 to become de-energized." However, the relay 7 R7 remainsenergized through the closed normally open The relay R5is connectedbetween the +40 volt supply 7 and ground potential by onepath throughthe normally open contacts of switch CS9 and by another path through thenormally closed contacts of switch CS5 connected in series with thenormally open contacts Rda of the relay R5.

By the arrangement of. the above circuitry, the, ap-

and through the stock cutoff mechanisms 2th), and that a receptacle 2%is positioned on. support rails 410 and $20 7 at the first work stationSiland detented into position by c the first feed finger 433; the rod432 being extended by the cylinder 430. Under these assumed conditions,the line switch LS at work station only is closed. The conditions of thecontact switches are that the contacts of switches CS1,'CS2, CS3, CS5,CS6 and CS8 are open; the normally open contacts of switches CS'and' CS7are closed; and the normally closed contact of switchCSlG is closed.Relay Rl is energized; allotherrelays are deenergized. Relay R6,whichhad been energized, became de-energized upon relay R1 becomingenergized because the normally closed contact Rla opens upon relay R1becoming energized. Hence, the circu it for energizing relay R6 .isinterrupted. Relay R1 remains energized. through its now closednormally'open contact Rlb and-- the normally closed contact of theswitch C810. All

. solenoids, except solenoid S7, are tie-energized. The

solenoid S7 is energized through normally closed contacts contact R719and the closed normally closed contacts of switch CS4. With the relay R7still energized, the normally open contact R76 is still closed. Hence,.when the forming dies 3% reach their fully open position, thefcon- Itacts of the switch CS7 close, whereby the relay R4 be- 'comesenergized. Energiz ation of the relay R4 causes the'closure of thenormally open contacts R412. Upon the closing of the normally opencontacts R417, the solenoid S4 becomes energized. Energization of thesole noid S4 causes the cylinder 161 to operate so as to retract therack 164 and thereby rotate the cam 160 to seat the formed contactelements It as the cam 16%) forces the slide downward. The downwardmovement of the slide 110 to seatthe formed [contact elements is notresisted by the cylinder lllbecause the same Will be op- "erated becausethe solenoid S7 is'ene rgized when the frelay R4 becomes energized, Therelay' Ri causes the de-energization' of relay R2 by opening thenormally closed contact R4161. Of course, when the relay R2 becomes deenergized, the solenoid S7 can become energized through the closednormally closed contacts R211 and R512.

When the-cylinder 161 is operated to retract the, rack la h-the rack164, upon reaching its fully retracted po jsition, causes the closureoflthe normally open contacts of the switch CS9. Thiscauses the relay R5to become energized. At this time, the relays R4 and R7 still remain Theso- I S7 becomes de-energized upon energization of the relay RSb andRZb. These conditions are'represented on the timing diagram of FIG. 16.7

With the relay R1 energized, the normally open contact R10 is closedand, thus, the solenoid S1 becomes energized. 'Energization of thesolenoid S1 causes the main slide to move upward and thereby close thenormally ,open contacts of switch CS3.. Upon closure of these contacts,the relay R2 becomes energized. This causes the closing of the normallyopen contact R252 and the R5 which causes the opening of normally closedcontact R5b and the closure of the normally open contact R51). Closure.of the normallyopen contact RSb-also causes the solenoid S5 to becomeenergized.

Energization of the solenoid S5 causes the cylinder 23.1 to operate soas to extend the piston rod 232 and thereby reciprocate the male die'220towards the female die 210 toshear the formed contact elements 10 fromthe stock 40. This also causes the normally closed contacts .oftheswitch C810 to open, whereby the relay R1 becomes (lo-energized.De-energization of the relay R1 causes the solenoid Slto becomede-energized. However, the solenoid? S5 remains energized, and the stockvmaterial 40 is held by the pins 249 which were carried material 40,

whereby the solenoid S4 de-energizes.

With the solenoid S1 de-energized, the cylinder 121 is operated to causethe lowering of the main slide 120. The lowering of the main slide 120clears the stock cutoff mechanism 200 of the formed contact elements,and causes the latch release levers 127 to be pivoted by the projections172. As the latch release levers 127 are pivoted, they act upon the pins125 to cam the latch bar 118 out of engagement with the stock material49.

Furthermore, as the slide lowers, the contacts of switch CS3 open; and,when the slide 120 reaches the fully downward position, the normallyopen contacts of switch CS4 are closed. This causes the relay R7 tobecome deenergized because the circuit path for holding the sameenergized includes the normally closed contacts of switch CS4, which arenow opened.

De-energization of the relay R7 permits the normally closed contact R70,which had been opened, to close. Hence, the solenoid S7 becomesenergized through the normally closed contacts R70 and R217. With thesolenoid S7 energized, the cylinder 111 is operated to retract the slide110 to its fully downward position. As the slide 110 reaches the fullydownward position, the normally closed contacts of switch CS5 areopened.

The relay R4 became de-energized upon the relay R7 having becomede-energized. Upon de-energization of the relay R4, the closed normallyopen contact R41) opens, This causes the cylinder 161 to operate so asto extend the rack 164 and return the cam 160 to its home or restoredposition.

With the rack 164 extended, the contacts of the switch CS9 open. Hence,the relay R5 becomes de-energized because both the make and holdcircuitry for the relay R5 is interrupted. The contacts of the switchCS5 are opened upon the return of the slide 110 to its fully downwardposition.

As the relay R5 becomes de-energized, the closed normally open contactRSb opens and the solenoid thus becomes de-energized and the cylinder231 is operated to permit the return of the male die element 220. Bythis action, the contacts of the switch C810 close and thereby conditionthe hold circuit for the relay R1.

Further, as the relay R5 becomes de-energized, the normally closedcontacts RSa close and, thus, relay R6 becomes energized. Hence,solenoid S6 becomes energized. This causes the cylinder 430 to beoperated to retract the associated piston rod 431 and thereby withdrawthe feed finger 433 to a position whereby the same drops into the secondin line V-shaped notch 24 of the receptacle 20. During this operation,the detent mechanism 450 holds the receptacle against movement to permitthe feed finger 433 to be withdrawn from the first in line V- shapednotch 24. Upon retraction of the piston rod 431, the contacts of switchCS2 open; and, when the rod 431 is fully retracted, the contacts ofswitch CS1 are opened because the contacts are normally closed contacts.Also, with relay R6 energized, relay R1 becomes energized. However,relay R6 becomes de-energized upon the opening of the contacts of theswitch CS1. With the relay R6 tie-energized, the solenoid S6 becomesde-energized. Hence, the cylinder 431) is operated to extend the rod431, thereby carrying the feed finger 433 forward to advance thereceptacle 2%). The feed finger 433 stays forward to detent thereceptacle 20 in position. Of course, as the cylinder rod 431 startsforward, the normally closed contacts of the switch CS1 are permitted toclose and, when the rod 431 is fully forward, the normally open contactsof the switch CS2 are closed. Hence, solenoid S1 becomes energized againupon the closing of the contacts of switch CS2 because the energizedrelay R1 has already caused the closure of normally open contact Rlc.This completes a cycle of operation and subsequent cycles of operationwould take place in a similar or like manner.

While the invention has been particularly shown and described withreference to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood bythose skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may bemade therein without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention.

What is claimed is: 1. A method for forming contact elements from stripsof stock and inserting the formed contact elements into a receptaclewhich comprises:

inserting strips of stock into a plurality of aligned passageways andinto and beyond a plurality of cavities of said receptacle, saidcavities communicating with said passageways and opening opposite to thedirection of insertion; forming contact elements from the portions ofsaid strips of stock extending beyond said cavities, said contactelements being formed with first portions adapted to reside within saidcavities, second portions to reside within said passageways and thirdportions to extend from said receptacle, said second portions beingformed to have an interfering fit with said passageways and said thirdportions being contiguous and integral with said strips of stock;

pulling said strips of stock relative to said passageways and away fromsaid cavities to cause said second portions to anchor said formedcontact elements within said receptacle; and

severing said third portions of said formed and inserted contactelements from said strips of stock. 2. A method for forming contactelements from strips of stock and inserting the formed contact elementsinto a receptacle which comprises:

positioning said receptacle at a first work station so that one row ofpassageways of said receptacle is aligned in a predetermined position;

inserting strips of stock into said aligned one row of passageways andinto and beyond a first plurality of cavities of said receptacle, saidfirst plurality of cavities communicating with said one row ofpassageways and opening opposite to the direction of insertion; formingcontact elements of a first configuration from the portions of saidstrips of stock extending beyond said first plurality of cavities, saidcontact elements of said first configuration being formed with firstportions adapted to reside within said first plurality of cavities,second portions to reside within said one row of passageways and thirdportions to extend from said receptacle, said second portions beingformed to have an interfering fit with said one row of passageways andsaid third portions being contiguous and integral with said strips ofstock;

pulling said strips of stock relative to said one row of passageways andaway from said first plurality of cavities to cause said second portionsto anchor said formed contact elements within said receptacle;

severing said third portions of said formed and inserted contactelements of said first configuration from said strips of stock; indexingsaid receptacle to a second work station so that an alternate row ofpassageways is aligned in a predetermined position thereat;

inserting strips of stock into said aligned alternate row of passagewaysand into and beyond a second plurality of cavities of said receptacle,said second plurality of cavities communicating with said alternate rowof passageways and opening opposite to the direction of insertion;

forming contact elements of a second configuration from the portions ofsaid strips of stock extending beyond said second plurality of cavities,said contact elements of said second configuration being formed withfirst portions adapted to reside within said second plurality ofcavities, second portions to reside within said alternate row ofpassageways and third portions to extend from said receptacle, saidsecond portions being formed to have an interfering

2. A METHOD FOR FORMING CONTACT ELEMENTS FROM STRIPS OF STOCK ANDINSERTING THE FORMED CONTACT ELEMENTS INTO A RECEPTACLE WHICH COMPRISES:POSITIONING SAID RECEPTACLE AT A FIRST WORK STATION SO THAT ONE ROW OFPASSAGEWAYS OF SAID RECEPTACLE IS ALIGNED IN A PREDETERMINED POSITION;INSERTING STRIPS OF STOCK INTO SAID ALIGNED ONE ROW OF PASSAGEWAYS ANDINTO AND BEYOND A FIRST PLURALITY OF CAVITIES OF SAID RECEPTACLE, SAIDFIRST PLURALITY OF CAVITIES COMMUNICATING WITH SAID ONE ROW OFPASSAGEWAYS AND OPENING OPPOSITE TO THE DIRECTION OF INSERTION; FORMINGCONTACT ELEMENTS OF A FIRST CONFIGURATION FROM THE PORTIONS OF SAIDSTRIPS OF STOCK EXTENDING BEYOND SAID FIRST PLURALITY OF CAVITIES, SAIDCONTACT ELEMENTS OF SAID FIRST CONFIGURATION BEING FORMED WITH FIRSTPORTIONS ADAPTED TO RESIDE WITHIN SAID FIRST PLURALITY OF CAVITIES,SECOND PORTIONS TO RESIDE WITHIN SAID ONE ROW OF PASSAGEWAYS AND THIRDPORTIONS TO EXTEND FROM SAID RECEPTACLE, SAID SECOND PORTIONS BEINGFORMED TO HAVE AN INTERFERING FIT WITH SAID ONE ROW OF PASSAGEWAYS ANDSAID THIRD PORTIONS BEING CONTIGUOUS AND INTEGRAL WITH SAID STRIPS OFSTOCK; PULLING SAID STRIPS OF STOCK RELATIVE TO SAID ONE ROW OFPASSAGEWAYS AND AWAY FROM SAID FIRST PLURALITY OF CAVITIES TO CAUSE SAIDSECOND PORTIONS TO ANCHOR SAID FORMED CONTACT ELEMENTS WITHIN SAIDRECEPTACLE; SEVERING SAID THIRD PORTIONS OF SAID FORMED AND INSERTEDCONTACT ELEMENTS OF SAID FIRST CONFIGURATION FROM SAID STRIPS OF STOCK;INDEXING SAID RECEPTACLE TO A SECOND WORK STATION SO THAT AN ALTERNATEROW OF PASSAGEWAYS IS ALIGNED IN A PREDETERMINED POSITION THEREAT;INSERTING STRIPS OF STOCK INTO SAID ALIGNED ALTERNATE ROW OF PASSAGEWAYSAND INTO AND BEYOND A SECOND PLURALITY OF CAVITIES OF SAID RECEPTACLE,SAID SECOND PLURALITY OF CAVITIES COMMUNICATING WITH SAID ALTERNATE ROWOF PASSAGEWAYS AND OPENING OPPOSITE TO THE DIRECTION OF INSERTION;FORMING CONTACT ELEMENTS OF A SECOND CONFIGURATION FROM THE PORTIONS OFSAID STRIPS OF STOCK EXTENDING